Reading easel



March 24, 1931.

' L. A. HURLBURT READING EASEL Filed May 5, 19 28 11/7 at? 11W diiartgft Patented Mar. 24, 1931 UNITE? STATES LEW A. HURLBURT, OF PERRY, IOWA READING EASEL Application filed May 5, 1928. Serial N0. 275,528.

The object of my invention is to provide a reading easel of simple, durable and comparatively inexpensive construction.

A further object of my i vention is to pro- 6. vide an easel especially adapted to support a magazine or book in reading position either on a desk or table or on the legs of a user.

More particularly it is my object to pro- 'ide an easel of this character in which a sup- 10 port is provided for holding a magazine or the like in open position with an adjustable leg member on the under surface of the easel so that this leg member can hold the su porting member in an inclined position relative to a table top.

Still a further object is to provide the leg member with a pair of U-shaped portions adapted to engage the legs of a user so that the magazine will be supported in easy reading position with respect to the user when in use.

With these and other objects in view my i vention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device illustrating it in use on a table top and inclicating in dotted lines a magazine open thereon.

Figure 2 is a similar perspective view, viewing the device from the under surface thereof.

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional View on the line H of Figure 8.

Figures 5 and 6 are side elevations of the dev'ce showing it in two different positions of adjustment; and

Figure 7 is a side elevation partially in section to illustrate the device when folded In the accompanying drawings I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate a support. This support may be made of sheet metal or other desirable material and for reintorcement purposes, the edges thereof are bent downwardly to form flanges '12. The lower end of the support 10 terminates in an upwardly hooked portion 1 for the purpose of engaging the lower edge of a magazine 16 or the like, positioned on the support.

Secured to the undersurtace of the support 10, is a pair of bars 18 having foot portions 20 secured to the support 10 by riveting or spotwelding. have curved portions 22 at one of their ends and notches 2% formed at their opposite ends.

A leg member A consisting of a pair of side arms 26 and connecting portions 28, is adjustably mounted on the bars 18. The side arms as are bent outwardly as indicated at 30 and then downwardly as at 32 for partially surrounding the bars 18. Rivets 34; then extend tirough the arms 26 and through the portions 32 whereby an encircling loop is provided on the free end of each-arm 26. These loops as clearly illustrated in Figure 4:, encircle the bars 18. It may here be mentioned that the distance between the portion 30 and the rivet 3% is a little greater than the width of the bar 18. i

The portions 28 of the leg member A are U-shaped as clearly shown on the drawings and where theseportions connect together and where they connect with the side arms 26, rubber sleeves 36 are positioned on them. These sleeves are provided to prevent marring a table top when the device is positioned thereon.

Practical operation In the operation of my device, the leg memher A normally assumes the position indicated at B by dotted lines in Figure 3 and by full lines in Figure 7 In this position the device is compactly folded into a small space so that it can be conveniently carried in a suitcase. t can also be hung on a wall by positioning the opening 38 in the upper end of the support 10, over a nail or hook.

When it is desired to use my device, the leg member A may be moved from the position B by swinging it as indicated by the arrow 40. In doing this the encircling loops formed by the arms 26, the portions 30 and The bars 18 are similar and top 12. I

tl e in t to the table top 42 as shown in Figu 'es s and 5, the leg is desirable to increase 1 i lination 10 01 inc support 10 with re 9 c 1 member i nia be moved to the positions C and lVhen moving to these nay remain .inally, with remember A portions 89 and rivets 3% t an the widths of the bars 18.

' s may also be had by adjust- .inally on the 1" device in may also be ing the leg' bars 18. l n I i connecti n w' used on the lap of a i by placing tiie Ll-shaped poi-tic" s 28 over his is above the knees and resting the curved por of the support 10 again his stomach. supports the magazine position and I find that when reading for any gtn of time from a heavy magazine or boolr. The use of the device, furthermore, does not interfere with the user crossing his legs as only one of the portions 28 need be utilized for holding the support 10 in the proper position while the users legs are crossed.

In this case, of course, the leg member A would engage the upper leg of the user. Whcn he desires to change the crossing of his legs, be can at the same time, without inconvenience, transfer the leg member A. to t ie other of his own legs.

I have found my device particularly valuable to traveling salesmen since it can be conveniently folded and carried in their suit cases and can be used by them as a writing table when they are on the train or even when in an automobile. My easel when positioned as above described, is convenient to the user for writing letters, etc, thereon.

My device can be made very cheaply and therefore, is desirable as an advertising nove y. Both the front and the back of it, may be printed with an advertisement which will be called to the attention of the user each time he uses the device. The advertisement on the front may be of a pictorial character so that it is desirable to have the device when not in use, hanging on the wall similar to a picture. This can be done as indicated in Figure 3 with the leg member A arranged at the angle shown in full lines. In this position the connecting portion between the two U-shaped o an easy reading .elps considerably portions 28, may be hung over a nail or hook in the wall.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention 1. A reading easel comprising a support, a bar on the underside thereof and a leg member mounted for sliding adjustment on said bar, said leg member being formed with a comparatively deep Usha-ped portion to enthe leg of a user of the easel and to be retained against side movement relative to, and consequent displacement from, the users leg.

2. In a device of the class described, asupport, a pair of bars on the underside thereof, a leg member having loop portions surrounding said bars and capable of longitudinal movement thereon for providing a reading easel adjustable as to inclination, said loop portions being arranged to bind on said bars when a predetermined amount of pivotal movement is imparted to the leg member.

3. In a device of the class described, a sup port, a pair of bars on the underside thereof, a leg member having loop portions surrounding said bars adapted to bind thereon when the leg member is pivoted a predetermined degree relative to said bars and capable of longitudinal movement thereon for providing a reading easel adjustable as to inclinati'on, said bars having curved portions at their ends for allowing said leg member to be folded against said support.

a. in a device of the class described, a support, a pair of bars on the underside thereof, a leg member having loop portions surrounding said bars adapted to bind thereon when the leg member is pivoted a predetermined degree relative to said bars and capable of longitudinal movement thereon for providing a reading easel adjustable as to inclination, said bars having notched portions for said leg member to enter when in one position of its movement.

5. Ina device of the class described, a support, a pair of bars on the underside thereof, a leg member having loop portions surrounding said bars adapted to bindingly coact therewith and capable of longitudinal movement thereon for providing a reading easel adjustable as to inclination, said'leg member having a pair of U-shaped portions adapted to engage the legs of a user when he is sitting in reading position.

Des Moines, Iowa, April 19, 1928.

LEW A. HURLBURT. 

